Tasting Freshly Brewed Sake and Exploring the Charms of Yurihonjo City in Akita
Embark on a journey to experience the unique attractions of Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture. At Tenju Sake Brewery, savor winter-exclusive freshly brewed sake and learn about traditional brewing techniques.Please note that brewery tours are not available on weekends. Visit the Chokai Wooden Toy Museum to enjoy locally crafted wooden toys and large-scale play equipments. Explore the Akada Great Buddha, a wooden statue standing approximately 9.1 meters tall, constructed in the mid-Edo period.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Akita Station or your hotel in Akita
Akada Great Buddha: A Hidden Gem The Akada Great Buddha
The Akada Great Buddha, located in Yurihonjo City, is a towering wooden statue standing approximately 9 meters tall. Known as the "Hase Kannon," it is considered one of Japan's three great Hase Kannon statues. The statue is housed within a temple, and visitors can open the wooden doors to reveal the magnificent figure, adorned with gold leaf. The serene atmosphere and the statue's intricate craftsmanship offer a profound and contemplative experience, reflecting the region's spiritual and artistic heritage
Chokaisan Wooden Toy Museum
Housed in the former Ayukawa Elementary School, a wooden structure over 60 years old, the Chokaisan Wooden Toy Museum opened in July 2018. The museum features a vast collection of wooden toys and playground equipment crafted from local timber, offering a tactile and nostalgic experience for visitors of all ages. Interactive zones such as "Mori no Asobiba" allow guests to engage with various playhouses and a pool filled with wooden acorns, while "Tedzukuri Kobo" provides hands-on workshops to create original toys using wood and bamboo. The museum also includes exhibition rooms showcasing local cultural artifacts, preserving and promoting the region's traditional heritage.
Tenju Sake Brewery
Established in 1830, Tenju Sake Brewery is a family-owned establishment nestled at the foot of Mount Chokai in Yashima Town. The brewery utilizes the pristine, naturally filtered water from Mount Chokai and locally cultivated sake rice to produce high-quality sake. During the winter months, visitors can witness the meticulous brewing process and savor freshly pressed sake, known for its clean and well-rounded flavor. This experience provides insight into the traditional methods and dedication that have sustained Tenju's reputation for nearly two centuries
Ending Point
JR Akita Station or your location
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
private car / Audi 5 seaters SUV
transportation expenses
-king fee
-highway fee
-cost of gasoline
lunch (6~8USD)
the sake brewery tour fee (6~7USD)
the admission fee for the wooden toy museum (5~6USD)
Tour Important Information
Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Kindly be aware that sake brewery tours are typically NOT offered on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Minako M.
I am a licensed tour guide in Akita.
I'm on a mission to unveil the enchanting allure of Akita Prefecture to the world.
Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and Kyoto, Akita Prefecture boasts a traditional Japanese landscape that's as unique as it is captivating. My passion lies in ensuring that every visitor, no matter where they're from, experiences the richness of Akita's nature and culture.
Reviews
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Elisa H.
“Great Walking Tour of Akita from a Local!”
I had a fantastic time visiting Akita with Minako. Minako was able to meet me and take me to some fantastic spots around Akita and share lots of local knowledge with me. We enjoyed lunch, walking through Senshu Park, visited the museum which had amazing art and more. If anyone is coming to visit Akita - please feel free to book with Minako and enjoy a lovely day out with her. We also enjoyed some delicious ice cream and sake tasting at the end of the tour.
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Minako M.
Dear Elisa, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for spending the day with me in Akita. It was a pity that we couldn’t visit the Glass Museum and Matsukura old house as they were closed, but I’m so glad we could still enjoy many beautiful spots together. Your Japanese was excellent, and I truly enjoyed our conversations in Japanese. I hope you continue to have many wonderful journeys ahead!
Debbie S.
“Kakunodate family adventure ”
Minsko is such a sweet person :) she picked us up at the port in Akita, took us on the bullet train to the Samurai village, we made coasters out of cherry wood, had a delicious lunch in a cute local restaurant, toured a museum, visited Akita dogs, went to a second Samurai home, and did some shopping. We had a wonderful day and and some amazing photos. Thank you so much for an amazing day.
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Minako M.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure showing you around Akita and the samurai village. I’m so glad you enjoyed making cherry wood coasters, meeting the Akita dogs, and exploring the local sights (and restaurants)! Your son is so handsome and was great to chat with; your daughter is beautiful, and I could really feel how much you cherish your family. Your photos look fantastic—I had a wonderful time with you all. Wishing you even more unforgettable moments during the rest of your journey!
Luis T.
“Great guide!”
Enthusiastic guide with excellent English and knowledge of the city and its cultural traits.
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Minako M.
Dear Luis, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm really happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Akita. Your kind words truly mean a lot to me. It’s great to know the tour became a memorable part of your trip. I’m so grateful that you took the time to write a review—thank you again!
$419/ per group
More tours by Minako M.
Other Popular Car Tour (driving guide) Tours in Akita
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Kakunodate Samurai House and Lake Tazawa
Inland Akita provides you with beautiful nature and rich historical culture. Unfolded from a Lookout is a breathtaking view of Lake Tazawa and high mountains seen beyond it. At Kakunodate Castle Town, you will feel its 400-year history strolling along the Samurai House street lined with beautiful and lush tall trees. If we drop in at a Samurai House, we will be impressed with the armory and the other Samurai tools used hundreds of years ago!
Kakunodate Samurai House and Lake Tazawa
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Akita Nature and Culture Experience - Full-day Trekking and Kakunodate Samurai House
Mt. Komagatake, 1637 meters above sea level, provides with spectacular view of Lake Tazawa and its surrounding hills and countryside. After an hour and a half drive from Akita City to 8th station of the mountain, you may go up to the peak in 90 minutes. On the way back to Akita City, you may stroll around Kakunodate Samurai House Street, exposing you to wonderful flavor of Akita both in nature and culture!
Akita Nature and Culture Experience - Full-day Trekking and Kakunodate Samurai House
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Full-day Akita Samurai Town and Lake Tazawa Tour
Premiere Tour of Akita. In this tour, you can see how samurai lived in samurai residences. At one Samurai house, a staff member tells us about the residence. You can witness samurai swords, armor, kimonos, etc. You can take a nice photo wearing a samurai helmet. Lake Tazawa is a mysterious Lake and the deepest one in Japan. The golden statue of Tatsuko is a must-see spot in Akita. Please take memorial photos at the shore of Lake Tazawa. We enjoy lunch at Kakunodate town or near Lake Tazawa.
Full-day Akita Samurai Town and Lake Tazawa Tour
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Half-day Our Lady of Akita and Local Festival Museum Tour
This tour is a short tour in Akita city. Visit a shrine of Our Lady of Akita, once tears appeared in her eyes. This tour can be pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world. We also visit Akita city folklore museum where one of the most famous festival, Kanto Festival and other local festival are displayed. You also visit an old merchant's house nearby.
Half-day Our Lady of Akita and Local Festival Museum Tour
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